Comparative Medicine–

Courses in Comparative Medicine

Autumn Quarter

COMPMED 107: Comparative Neuroanatomy (COMPMED 207)

Undergraduate/Graduate
4 Units | Grade Option: Letter Grade or CR/NC
Instructors: Paul Buckmaster, DVM, PhD
Corinna Darian-Smith, PhD

Location/days/time: Edwards Bldg., Room R358/W 1:00 - 3:00 and F 9:00 - 11:00

Functional organization and evolution of the vertebrate nervous system. Topics include paleoneurology, cladistic analysis, allometry, mosaic versus concerted evolution, and evolution of brain region structure, connectivity, and neurons. Comparisons between structure and function of vertebrate forebrains including hippocampi. Evolution of the primate visual and sensorimotor central nervous system as related to vocalization, socialization, and intelligence.

For enrollment information go to Stanford University Registrar's site

COMPMED 87Q Introduction to the Mouse in Biomedical Research

Sophomore preference Seminar
3 Units | Grade option: Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit

Instructor: Claude Nagamine, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Location/days/time: Li Ka Shing Center, Room LK308/F/1:15 - 3:45

This seminar is an introduction to the laboratory mouse, one of the most widely used models for biomedical research. We will explore the natural history and origin of the laboratory mouse, its relationship to its wild cousins, the history and uses of some common laboratory mice, and analyze some widely used research models (transgenic mice, knock-out and knock-in mice, cloning, immunodeficient mice) and their uses in the understanding and treatment of human diseases. In addition to lectures, each student will read and discuss scientific papers and present (1) paper that uses the mouse as a model for the study of a human disease. Students interested in biomedical research, medicine, or veterinary medicine will benefit from this seminar.

Claude Nagamine

Claude M. Nagamine, DVM, PhD, DACLAM Assistant Professor. Dr. Nagamine received his D.V.M. from the University of Tennessee in 2004 and completed his residency training in Laboratory Animal Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2007. He became a diplomate of the ACLAM in 2008. He joined the Department of Comparative Medicine at Stanford in 2008 and supervises the Rodent Health Surveillance Program. Prior to entering veterinary school, Dr. Nagamine obtained a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis (1979), obtained postdoctoral training in endocrinology, developmental genetics, immunology, and molecular biology of the mouse at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (NYC), Pasteur Institute (Paris, France), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of California, San Francisco and was an Assistant Professor of Cell Biology at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His research interests include the molecular genetics of mammalian sex determination and mouse infectious diseases. (650) 498-4773/cnagamin@stanford.edu

To enroll visit the Undergraduate Academic Life's site

COMPMED 80Q: Introduction to Animal Behavior

Freshman preference seminar
3 Units | Grade option: S/NC

Instructors:

Joseph Garner, DPhil

Location/days/time:  CCSR 4105/T and Th/12:35 - 2:05

Why do animals behave the way they do? What does behavior tell us about their inner lives, and about ourselves? Traditional and modern topics include: history and approaches to animal behavior; the development of behavior, from genetics to learning; the mechanisms of behavior, from neurons to motivation; the function of behavior, from how behavior has been shaped by evolution, to why animals appear to behave altruistically; the phylogeny of behavior, emphasizing how related behaviors change from species to species to fit each animal’s niche; and modern applications of behavior, from abnormal behavior, to conservation, to animal welfare, and animal consciousness. Background reading and class lectures will develop basic principles and flesh them out with unforgettable examples (What for instance, do lipstick and cuckoos and fireflies have in common? Why would nobody want to be a penguin? What do mice say to each other in their pee-mail?). The seminar will have an emphasis on in-class discussion and criticism, of video examples, documentaries, and research papers, including the chance to video conference with the authors of assigned reading and ask those burning questions you always have after reading a really exciting paper.

Joseph Garner, DPhilJoseph Garner is an associate professor of comparative medicine, and associate professor, by courtesy, of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. He received his doctoral degree in (abnormal) animal behavior at the University of Oxford, Great Britain, conducted his postdoctoral training at UC Davis, and began his faculty career at Purdue University. His research interests include the development of refined methods in behavioral research; abnormal behaviors in animals and their relationships with abnormal behaviors in humans; mouse well-being and enrichment; and the scientific impact of well-being problems in lab animals. His favorite experiments are ones where the animals tell you what's really going on by doing the opposite of what was predicted. He became interested in animal behavior because of its potential to open a window into the experience of the animals that share our world and our lives. He pursued a career in the field because it presents some of the hardest questions and most beautiful answers in science; and because of the great potential for animal behavior to improve both the lives of animals, and also the lives of humans. He serves on the boards of both animal well-being and human mental health advocacy organizations. None of the animal members of his own family are particularly well behaved, but he prefers them that way.

For enrollment information go to Undergraduate Academic Life's site

COMPMED 89Q: Ouch it Hurts! The Comparative Neurobiology of Pain

Sophomore preference seminar
3 Units | Grade option: Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit

Instructors:

Cholawat Pacharinsak, DVM, PhD

Location/days/time:  Li Ka Shing Center, LK205/206/M and W/10:00 - 11:50

Preference to sophomores. Focus is on understanding the basic neurobiology of pain pathways. Topics include the physiology, pharmacology, and clinical aspects of effective pain management. In both humans and animals pain is part of the protective mechanisms that prevent further injury to the body. However, if the pain process continues unchecked, it can become extremley detrimental.

Cholawat Pacharinsak is a veterinary anesthesiologist, an assistant professor, and the director of Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Surgery in the Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine. He has a Ph.D. in pain neuroscience, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (DACVA). His research interests include understanding the neurobiology of cancer pain and acute pain models using behavioral and electrophysiological techniques. He also focuses on how to control pain effectively in a clinical setting.

For enrollment information go to Undergraduate Academic Life's site

Winter Quarter

COMPMED 81N: Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Mammals

Freshman preference seminar
3 Units | Grade Option: Letter Grade or CR/NC Option

Instructor: Donna Bouley, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Location/days/time: Edwards Bldg., Room R358/Wedns/3:15 - 5:05

This course is an introduction to common laboratory and domestic mammals. Using a comparative approach, we will investigate the unique adaptations of each species in terms of its morphological, anatomical, and behavioral characteristics. How these species interact with their own and other species, including humans, will be discussed. 

Dr. Donna BouleyDonna Bouley is a professor of Comparative Medicine and director of necropsy services at Stanford. She received her D.V.M. in 1985 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and worked in private practice for three years before returning to the University of Tennessee for graduate school, receiving her Ph.D. in experimental and comparative medicine in 1995. She joined the faculty of Texas A&M, became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and then came to Stanford in 1997. Professor Bouley is the pathologist for the research animal facility and provides clinical services to Stanford animal users in many departments. She is co-investigator in a study by the radiology department which examines MRI-guided ultrasound and cryosurgery in animal models. She also works with faculty in genetics on studies of transgenic mice and in microbiology and immunology on studies of bacterial virulence factors. Her own research focuses on immunopathology, inflammation, and host-pathogen interactions. In her spare time, she enjoys running and belly dancing.

For enrollment information go to Undergraduate Academic Life's site

COMPMED 88N:  Comparative Hematology

Sophomore preference seminar
3 Units | Grade Option: ABCD/NC

Instructor: Jennifer Johns DVM, PhD, DACVP
Location/days/time: Alway Bldg., T - Th/11:00 - 12:15

Preference to sophomores. The essential and constant production of new blood cells by the bone marrow. Focus is on fundamentals of the three blood cell types along with white blood cell subtypes. Topics include the microscopic appearance of blood cells in mammalian and non-mammalian species, common morphologic abnormalities of blood cells, and shifts in blood cells that occur in several major diseases of humans and animals. Ideally suited for premed, prevet and Bio-X students, but no biology specialty background required.

For enrollment information go to Undergraduate Academic Life's site

Spring Quarter

COMPMED 83N Horse Medicine

Freshman Seminar
3 Units | Grade option: Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit

Instructor: Sherril Green, DVM, PhD, DACVIM

Location/days/time: Edwards Bldg., Room R358/ Tues and Thurs/noon to 1:00
Website: http://www.stanford.edu/class/compmed83N/

This course will provide an overview of the most common equine diseases, ranging from colic to lameness, and will review equine anatomy and physiology relevant to selected topics in equine medicine. Other topics include infectious diseases, care of the newborn foal, medical emergencies, and neurological disorders. For more information on this course, visit the following web site: http://www.stanford.edu/class/compmed103/.

White horse runningSherril Green is a professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine and a large animal veterinarian who is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She completed her doctorate in neuroscience at UC Davis before coming to Stanford in 1995. A lifelong horse owner and equine enthusiast, she is an equine specialist who has taught in veterinary schools in the U.S. and Canada. She also has written numerous journal articles and veterinary textbook chapters on topics in equine medicine.

For enrollment information go to the Undergraduate site

COMPMED 84Q Globally Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

Sophomore preference seminar
3 Units | Grade Option: Letter Grade or CR/NC

Instructor: Stephen Felt, DVM, MPH
Location/days/time: Edwards Bldg., Room R358/Wedns/3:15-5:05

An introduction to infectious diseases currently impacting both veterinary and human health around the world today. We will explore some of the mechanisms of disease, epidemiology, and underlying diagnostic, treatment and control principles associated with these select pathogens. Students will be expected to participate in class discussion and will have a final “mystery disease” project to present to the class.   

Prerequisites: An interest in the study of medicine (veterinary and/or human) and epidemiology is recommended.  

Learning Goals: Acquire a basic knowledge of epidemiological terms and familiarity with some of the emerging zoonotic agents impacting the world today

Dr. Stephen Felt

Dr. Felt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine. In his position, he performs clinical veterinary care, biomedical research and teaching. Prior to arriving at Stanford, he was stationed overseas as a US Army Veterinary Corps Officer and participated in a variety of disease outbreak investigations on the Asian and African Continents and served as a veterinary consultant to the World Health Organization. Dr. Felt earned his D.V.M. from the University of Wisconsin and his M.P.H. from the Uniformed Services University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and a Diplomate of the American College Laboratory Animal Medicine.

For enrollment information go to Undergraduate Academic Life's site

COMPMED 85N: Animal Use in Biomedical Research

Freshman preference seminar
3 units | Grade Option: Letter Grade (ABCD/NP)

Instructors:

 Megan Albertelli, DVM, PhD Jennifer Johns, DVM, PhD
  Stephen Felt, DVM, MPH Claude Nagamine, DVM, PhD
  Joseph Garner, DPhil Cholawat Pacharinsak, DVM, PhD
  Sherril Green, DVM, PhD  
Location: TBD  

Preference to freshmen. How and why animals are used in biomedical science. Addresses human and animal disease entities and how animal research has contributed to the treatment and cure of disease. Significant\n\nportions of this course are devoted to documenting the humane care and treatment of laboratory animals in research, including, but not limited to such topics as laws and ethics, animal behavior, animal modeling, and the animal activist movement. Course topics will also include: What advances have been made as a result of the use of animals in research? Who conducts animal research? Predominant animal species used in biomedical research, facts and myths; the regulation of biomedical research; housing and care of laboratory animals; why new drugs must be tested; animal use in stem cell research, cancer research and genetically engineered mice; career choices in biomedical research.

For enrollment information go to Undergraduate Academic Life's site

All Quarters

COMPMED 198: Undergraduate Directed Reading in Comparative Medicine May be taken as a prelude to research and may also involve participation in a lab or research group seminar and/or library research.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-3 | Repeatable for credit | Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit Instructors:

For enrollment information go to the Stanford site

COMPMED 199: Undergraduate Research Investigations sponsored by individual faculty members. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum | Units: 1-3 | Repeatable for credit | Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit
Instructors:

For enrollment information go to the Stanford site

 

 

Stanford Medicine Resources:

Footer Links: